#Government

Global downturn risks becoming prolonged recession – WEF

High unemployment, lack of progress in reducing carbon emissions and exacerbated inequalities are all possible side effects of the pandemic

Expat residents allowed to return to the UAE from June 1

The Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has asked residents who wish to return to the UAE to register themselves online

Oman cuts pay for new civil servants by up to 23%

Oman has resorted to spending cuts to stabilise public finances

KUWAIT-HEALTH-VIRUS

Kuwait’s Municipality to dismiss all expats, freeze the hiring of foreign nationals

The expat roles will be replaced by Kuwaiti nationals and by boosting the use of automation and technology

Dubai denies media report that it is seeking support from Abu Dhabi fund Mubadala

It added that Reuters published the story without verifying the trustworthiness of its source

Indian embassy in Kuwait temporarily halts online registration for repatriation

The embassy said the service will resume after initial registrations have been accommodated

UAE PASS to be sole digital identity to access government services in Dubai

Users can access more than 5,000 government services using a single username and password

Razeen Field Hospital Abu Dhabi

UAE reports 796 new Covid-19 cases; Abu Dhabi inaugurates 250-bed field hospital

There are four more field hospitals under construction in Abu Dhabi

UAE may merge ministries post-coronavirus – Sheikh Mohammed

The UAE government held a three-day virtual summit to develop a post-virus strategy

UAE residence visa

All visa fines for UAE expats waived

There is a three-month grace period to exit the UAE starting from May 18th

Sheikh Mohammed

Sheikh Mohammed grants 10-year Gold Card visas to Dubai doctors battling Covid-19

Gold Card holders are granted long-term residency visas covering them and their families without the need of a sponsor

Free Covid-19 tests for select expats and all Emiratis in the UAE

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed the free testing to begin next week

Bahrain distributes Covid-19 ‘care packages’ to nationals in US, UK

The boxes are dispatched directly by local embassies in the respective countries

ADNOC Distribution Service Station

ADNOC Distribution’s Q1 net profit down 31%

Its underlying EBITDA grew 4.7 per cent year-on-year to $171m in the first quarter of 2020

What will be the impact of Saudi’s VAT hike on businesses and consumers?

The kingdom has hiked its VAT rate from 5 per cent to 15 per cent starting July 1

Abu Dhabi launches digital service for rent refunds on commercial leases

The new online service has been activated in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance

grand mosque

Eid Al Fitr holidays for UAE announced

The five-day break is expected to fall between May 22-26

dubai silicon oasis

Dubai Silicon Oasis introduces additional economic relief measures

In April, DSOA introduced several incentives for residents, startups, companies and commercial tenants located within buildings owned by the authority

Saudi Arabia triples VAT, cuts cost of living allowances

The steps taken to shore up revenue and rationalise spending are valued at about SAR100bn in total

Abu Dhabi Movement Permits

Abu Dhabi begins permit system for movement during sterilisation programme

Those who are fined and want to file an appeal can submit their objection within 15 days of the violation

Dubai’s Emirates Group reports 28% drop in full year profit

The group’s revenues decreased 5 per cent to Dhs104bn

Covid-19: Kuwait begins three-week complete lockdown from May 10

Only essential private sector activities will be permitted during the lockdown

Decision on 2020-2021 academic year ‘under review’ – UAE education ministry

Local media reports have indicated that e-learning will continue into the next academic year

UAE Covid-19

UAE reports 624 new Covid-19 cases, 11 deaths; efforts accelerate to identify virus strains

The government also announced 458 recoveries, the highest number of daily recoveries reported until now

Video: First repatriation flights from the UAE to India take off

The flights, operated by Air India Express, headed to Kerala in India

Bahrain’s Covid-19 campaign raises $100m to support the needy

Public sector institutions and corporations made significant contributions to the fund as well

Khalid Al Marzooqi Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi announces stimulus package for SMEs

Approximately 98 per cent of companies in Abu Dhabi are SMEs, contributing 29 per cent of the emirate’s GDP and 44 per cent of its non-oil economy

Dubai’s Q1 2020 external trade reaches Dhs323bn with China as largest trading partner

Customs transactions in Dubai reach 4 million in Q1 2020, up 60 per cent year-on-year

UAE’s Mubadala Healthcare and NYUAD to jointly produce 3D-printed medical masks

The 3D-printed masks will be similar to the N95 mask, but will be reusable and feature replaceable filters

Abu Dhabi Pay

TAMM launches Abu Dhabi Pay to offer digital payment options for government services

Currently, digital wallet and credit card payments are available while direct bank debit will subsequently be added to the platform